Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar
A moving CNG car caught fire near the railway station on Monday evening, but a family of five inside managed to escape just in time, averting a major tragedy. The vehicle, a Tata Tigor, was completely gutted in the blaze. The incident took place on Monday evening near the railway station.
Yogesh Surase, a resident of Jai Bhavani Nagar, was travelling with his wife and three children from Kranti Chowk to Mahanubhav Ashram when he heard a whistling sound from the car’s front section. Moments later, smoke began billowing out. Sensing danger, he quickly pulled over and evacuated his family. Within seconds, the car was engulfed in flames.
Since the vehicle had a CNG kit, authorities acted swiftly to prevent further risk. Vedantnagar Police Inspector Praveena Yadav, Traffic Inspector Vivek Jadhav, and constables Kacharu Hapse and Sandeep Pradhan secured the area and kept other vehicles at a safe distance. Firefighters Waseem Pathan and Sandeep Chavan arrived with their team and extinguished the blaze before it could spread.
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CNG tank remained intact
According to firefighter Sandeep Chavan, the fire started in the bonnet, likely due to engine overheating or a gas leak. While the engine was completely destroyed, timely action prevented the CNG tank from exploding. PI Praveena Yadav confirmed that Surase had purchased the car second-hand and installed an aftermarket CNG kit instead of the manufacturer’s recommended setup.
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Experts warn against aftermarket CNG kits
“CNG kits are cost-effective, but their maintenance is often ignored. Regular servicing is crucial. Only standard kits approved by manufacturers and government regulations should be used. Aftermarket kits can alter a vehicle’s electrical system, increasing the risk of gas leaks and fires.”
— Dr. Sachin Borse, Head of Mechanical Engineering Department, Deogiri Engineering College
(Photo: Munir Sheikh)